Let's Make Art!

It is that time of year, close enough to the holidays to create your sales tactics. Sales for the holiday season are always highest for most artist and artisans when you prepare your marketing by October.

First find outlets for your works. Small boutiques, galleries, furniture stores, church bazaars, coffee shops, etc…Once you have your dates for shows, you must do several things.

Have plenty of your business cards on hand, create a flyer with a special offering and information about your show/sale, and start creating for that event. If you are hanging in a gallery, coffee shop or other eatery ask if you can have an art opening.

Creating buzz about your event on social networks and getting it on calendars are very good ways to get the word out free to the public. Remember to send out invitations to collectors, friends, neighbors, and family. Everyone you meet is a potential customer.Having gift certificates for your art business is also a good idea during the holidays. If possible having the ability to take credit cards is also very useful. With the internet it is getting easier for artisans and artist to have the option of taking credit cards without paying large fees.

I have lapsed doing my blogs lately. Sometimes it seems that as an artist I am always doing footwork to keep up with the art community, family and friends. It sometime feels like a burden that is thrust on working artists. It is possible to be rushing in too many directions with trying to keep up with the art scene, your family's needs and your friends.

For myself I try to focus on the art when I am feeling rushed and frustrated with all the things life throws at me. I know the need to keep my business afloat and still produce art too. I push myself to paint at least once a week. Sometimes these pieces are not what I want to produce but still I work. So what is the answer?

I can't say I have all the answers, but making time each week for the business end of your art business and studio time are very important. Learn to say no to some of the wants of family and friends during those hours each week that you need to spend on your art business and art. Stop doing the artist footwork.

Hello Guys and DollsHope you are having a wonderful week. I have had so much to be thankful for the past 2 months or so. My friend and fellow artist Vera Smith and I have done a couple shows together and I did a show with another friend and artist J-Marie. I was blessed to sell a few art pieces at these shows. As well as selling a few pieces when posting on Facebook. I wish to thank everyone.

Hello Guys and Dolls,Today we will discuss artist resolutions for the new year. This is the time to update your web pages. This be a good start as a resolution that will help you through the year. If you decide to have more than one resolution I would also suggest these ideas for your resolutions; 1. Organize your art and catalog what you have2. If you haven't done so write up a business plan3. Research galleries and other places to hang worksThese are only a few things to get you started in the direction that will have you selling more this year. Have a splendid year. Regards,Monique MontneyJan 9, 2018

Hello Guys and Dolls,If you haven't started to prepare for the coming Thanksgiving - Christmas sales then you need to step things up. This is the time to think like a business person and make sure you have enough product, update your web page with some of your new works, update prices, make sure your works are in great shape and packaged if needed. Check to see if you have plenty of business cards and decide how you want to advertise/promote to maximize your sales through the holidays.

There are many ways to promote yourself and get more people interested in your works. First only put your best work on your web page.

Depending on how much you want to spend you have many choices to promote your work. If you don't have a lot of money to put towards advertising, you can advertise on Facebook free or for very little money, you can attend lunches and functions in your vicinity. Carry your business card everywhere you go and give them out as you talk about being an artist. Create postcards with your new art/information and mail it out to people on your mailing list or neighbors and friends. If you have more money you can go through some companies who allow you to create the post card, pick how many and what zip codes or areas you want them mailed. You can always putting a small ad in a newspaper or magazine that is local to your community.

These are just a few simple ways to promote your works. I hope some it gets you stated with your preparations for more sales this holiday season.Regards, Monique Montney

Hello Guys and Dolls,​Recently an artist ask me how I can paint works in so many types of mediums. As you may already know I try to help other artists to achieve their own goals so I try to answer all the questions that are asked. But this question is a bit difficult for me to answer. But I will attempt to give a reasonable answer to the question. Hope it helps.

​I am a driven artist, I can't seem to go a day without doing some sort of art, even if only for a few minutes. There was a time when I would never be without my sketch pad. I still carry one most of the time. I also become bored with the art I am doing easily so I change mediums often.

​I can remember years ago that I would never turn a commission down even if I had never used a medium they wanted or a style they wanted. So I would spend time in the library studying that particular medium or style then paint with that medium and style till I could do it intuitively. Everything always involved lots of practice for me. I threw away so much art you would not believe because I was always practicing. Everyone needs to practice their style till it becomes second nature. It doesn't matter how long it takes you, it will improve your art. I suppose it is because I was so determined to learn that I am where I am today with my art. I am constantly evolving and learning.

​It is so much easier now with computers to study and even take classes. I never did the class thing, just books from the library helped me learn the basics so I could take it further. So get busy practicing, paint, draw, write, etc...​Warm Regards,​Monique Montney

Hello Guys and Dolls,​Today I thought I would share a site I find interesting for anyone who does freelance work. Hope you find it useful.

An all-in-one platform to find, book and manage freelances, YunoJuno is a creative freelancer’s dream. It is free for freelancers, you’re guaranteed to be paid 14 days after invoicing, and you get to work directly with your clients. YunoJuno is a curated community, so you’ll need to create an engaging profile to become part of their elite list of freelance professionals.

Hello Guys and Dolls, ​Soon you will be celebrating the birth of Jesus or one of the other holidays during this time of the season. My wish for you is that you have a blessed Christmas or holiday and you are able to enjoy family and friends. For some of you with loss at this time of year my heart felt prayers go out to you and your family. ​Hugs all round, ​Monique Montney

Hello Guys and Dolls,I hear from some of you that being an artist is difficult to fit into your daily life.If it is on the back burner then you may not be ready to push your art forward.

Ask yourself a few questions to see where you are with your art career:1. What is important to you and your family.How does your family feel about you being an artist, are they supportive?Would they be willing to make changes if needed, cut back on spending etc...

​2. Are you able to support your family with your art?Do you have enough money set aside to support your family if you have a month or so with slow sales?Do you know how to live within a budget, does your family? Some people wait till they retire from other types of careers so they can have at least some steady income.

3. How much do you know about running a business?Have you had any previous schooling, experience, etc...of running a business?Are you willing to find resources, courses or a mentor who can give you advice?Do you know the laws in your area that pertain to small businesses?Have you research financing the business with loans etc...Without doing the research you will be left behind and not have a good experience.What do you know about advertising? Advertising is important to all businesses.

4. What about your artwork?Do you know what type of artist you are or want to be?Is your art quality up to par? If not do you plan to take courses to better your work?Do you use quality supplies so your works will last and keep collectors coming back for years to come?Do you set a certain amount of time to do your artwork and have a place you can work comfortably?Are you passionate about your art? Can you readily talk about what you create?

I know how difficult it is to sell art in todays market. You have to decide where you are with your art and where you want to be. You should set a time as to when you want each phase of your business to advance and work towards it.

Many of you are trying to keep your art moving forward and selling. It takes perseverance and good business practices. I hope to answer some of your questions in this blog. Start setting goals and taking steps to implement those goals. Keep the goals small enough to not become discouraged.

To begin you must have works to sell. Being consistent in quality in your style will keep the collectors coming back for more of your works. One thing that works for me is doing a series in one subject of at least 12 pieces at a time. Many times when I do this my collectors want more than one from the series. Trying new subjects is a way to keep interest in your works.

Making your works look professional when showing is best. Frames, mats, etc are ways to look more professional. If you are not good at this, get help or have it done. I've covered framing in my previous blogs. Add the price of framing to the work.

Find venues to show your works. Galleries and what ever venues you feel would be a good fit. Advertise that your works will be showing. It is to your advantage to help promote a venue you will have works in. Have a book at these venues to sign up for your newsletter if you have one.

On the business side, have nice business card, webpage (not on Facebook because many people don't have Facebook and may not want to join to see your works). A printed information folder about you as an artist (make copies). Include an artist statement, your art experience (schooling, associations etc), press release, and photos of yourself and some of your best works. This makes you look professional and serious about being an Artist.

Only putting your works on your personal Facebook is not the best way to sell. Only your friends and their friends will see it. If you want a larger audience you must do more to promote yourself. Facebook will promote your Facebook business page to a larger Facebook audience if you pay. If you have a studio or gallery website that people can visit, claim it online at sites like yellow pages and. It will help people find you. List your webpage with search engines. These are simple ways to help potential buyers find you. Be creative in finding ways to promote yourself.

That is everything I am covering today. Hope some of this is helpful. Good luck.Regards, Monique